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Several ways to help this season

Toy collection, drives for seniors get started

Forsyth County has several holiday donation programs for those who feel the spirit of giving this season.

The Forsyth County Fire Department is seeking toy donations for children in need through the 11th annual Aerial’s House toy collection, while the senior services department asks for donors for its holiday gift angels and home-delivered meal gift certificate programs.

“The very generous support of the community has allowed the Aerial’s House collection to help brighten the holiday season for many local children over the years,” Fire Chief Danny Bowman said.

“Collecting the gifts is truly something the fire department personnel look forward to every year. It is our honor to serve this community and we are humbled to be able to give back to the community in this small way.”

New, unwrapped toys for any age and new, tagged clothing for children ages 6 to 14 may be dropped off at fire stations, the department’s headquarters at 3520 Settingdown Road, or any of the county’s four library branches.

The may also be dropped off under the Christmas tree in the lobby of the Forsyth County Administration Building, at 110 East Main St. in Cumming.

Michael Bohn, director of senior services, said the holiday gift angels program “helps spread holiday cheer and is a wonderful way to make a difference in the lives of our seniors.

“During the holiday season, the gifts help remind our senior citizens that someone is thinking about them,” he said.

Each gift request tag contains the name of a local senior along with a gift idea for him or her.

Those participating in the program may deliver the unwrapped gift in a gift bag with the gift request tag attached (or another tag with the senior’s name and route number) to any of the three Forsyth County Senior Services locations weekdays until Dec. 6.

The meal holiday gift certificate program brings food to local homebound seniors through the Meals on Wheels program.

“Anyone choosing to support [the effort] will be making a positive impact for our local seniors,” Bohn said. “Recent years have shown an increasing demand for our Meals on Wheels program and that need typically grows during the holiday season.”

All meals delivered from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day will include a special certificate to wish happy holidays from the meal provider.

Senior services has set a goal of delivering 4,500 meals this holiday season.

Those interested in participating may choose to provide meals for a day, week, month or year. The cost is $3.53 for one meal, $17.65 for one week, $77.66 for one month and $917.80 for the entire year. Gifts may be tax-deductible.

Checks should be made payable to Forsyth County Senior Services, Holiday Gift Certificate Program and may be mailed or delivered to: Forsyth County Senior Services, 595 Dahlonega St., Cumming, GA 30040.